Photo: sahua/Flickr

I was recently given a beautiful new kitchen tool by a good friend.  After he handed me the wrapped, rectangular package, he gave one disclaimer: “use it very, very carefully.”   What was it? Chocolate? basil? catnip?

The secret was quickly revealed after tearing the beautiful box open.  Inside we found a very large ceramic knife.  I admit, I’ve seen these around and haven’t really been interested in dropping a lot of money for one new blade….especially a ceramic knife.  What could be so special about it?

After preparing dinner last night, I can tell you this:  they are a gift like no other.  I am in awe of any kitchen tool that so radically can change one’s life.  Slipping this blade through fish and then washing it so easily and wielding it on vegetables was, simply put, a dream.

I decided to do some research.  

Ceramic knives are indigenous to Japan and were made popular in the United States by various major television food stars, most notably Blue Ginger’s Ming Tsai on the TV Food Network.

Kyocera (one of the brands that makes ceramic knives) claims that the ceramic material, made out of zirconia, is second in hardness after the diamond.   This material is also wear resistant and chemically inert.  There is NO metal aftertaste and the knife requires sharpening every five years.

WOW.  

Do you own a ceramic knife?  If so, what do you think of it? Worth the price tag? Share your wisdom.